Man killed in U.S. 522 wreck

A Virginia man died when his 1993 Ford Explorer slid across the center line of U.S. 522 and ran into a tractor-trailer last Wednesday, March 7.

Kenneth Ray Zugel, 39, of Haymarket, Va., was killed in the accident which took place about 150 yards north of the West Virginia/Virginia line at 12:52 p.m. on March 7 during a snow storm, according to West Virginia State Police.

Zugel was heading north on U.S. 522 when his Explorer slid into the southbound lane and was struck by a 2002 Freightliner owned by Schneider National Carriers, Inc. of Gary, Indiana.

The truck, driven by Wanmin Dai, 38 of Toronto, Ontario, hit the Explorer on the passenger side, police said.

Although he was wearing his seat belt, the force of the impact ejected Zugel from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.

Dai was not injured and was not cited for the accident.

Corporal A.T. Peer of the West Virginia State Police, assisted by Sheriff's Deputies Seth Place and T.J. Johnson, responded to the accident scene.

Berkeley Springs Volunteer Fire Department, South Morgan County Volunteer Fire Department, Morgan County Rescue Services, and Frederick County Fire and Rescue were also dispatched to the site.